Ancient Bikkavolu Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple geared for Vinayaka Chaturthi
Pandals are being set up in towns and villages
Kakinada:People in the erstwhile Godavari districts are preparing to celebrate Vinayaka Chavithi festival on Wednesday on a grand scale. Pandals are being set up in towns and villages. Markets are busy with the sales of Ganesh idols and pooja material, including different types of leaves.
The ancient Lakshmi Ganapathi temple at Bikkavolu in East Godavari is geared up for the festivities. Devotees believe that any wish placed before the deity at Bikkavolu will be fulfilled. The temple, dating back to AD 840 during the Chalukya dynasty, draws a huge number of Vinayaka devotees.
There is a story that Ganapathi appeared to a devotee in his dream and revealed His location. The devotee explained his dream to the villagers and they all unearthed the God.
Police officials have given approvals for erecting nearly 8,000 Ganesh pandals in Kakinada, Konaseema, Eluru, and East and West Godavari Districts. Officials have made it clear that DJs should not be used at the pandals.
Kakinada Nagara Ganesh Utsava Samithi president Yenimreddy Malakondaiah expressed happiness over arrangements for the Ganesh festival. He requested pandal organisers to celebrate the festival with traditional customs, inconveniencing others with DJ music and cine songs, among others.